DO: Spend a little time on Bourbon Street at night -- but then get away from it and spend time in areas where the culture and cuisine are more satisfying.

DO: Spend a little time on Bourbon Street at night -- but then get...

DO: Spend a little time on Bourbon Street at night -- but then get... Photo-4102634.55874 - SFGate

Image 2 of 18

DO: Learn a little about the architecture. The French Quarter and Garden District are made for walking and knowing a little about the buildings makes it more interesting. (Example: Most of the iconic French Quarter design is actually Spanish.)

Photo: Spud Hilton, SFC

DO: Learn a little about the architecture. The French Quarter and...

DO: Learn a little about the architecture. The French Quarter and... Photo-4102635.55874 - SFGate

Image 3 of 18

DO: Stay a few days beyond the Super Bowl to catch some of Parade Season (the weeks of neighborhood parades leading up to Mardi Gras), then get out before Fat Tuesday. Too many people.

DO: Stay a few days beyond the Super Bowl to catch some of Parade...

DO: Stay a few days beyond the Super Bowl to catch some of Parade... Photo-4102636.55874 - SFGate

Image 4 of 18

DO: Eat the iconic Louisiana staples -- an oyster or shrimp po' boy (Johnny's Po' Boys on St. Louis Street), a Muffaletta sandwich (Central Grocery on Dumaine Street) and crawfish etouffee from, well, any place that looks like somebody's Mama is in the kitchen.

DONT: Just eat the Louisiana staples. Have some meals at places doing creative and fun things with local ingredients, including Sylvain gastropub on Chartres Street. (Pictured: Lobster tacos from Gordon Biersch Brewery on Poydras Street.)

DONT: Just eat the Louisiana staples. Have some meals at places...

DONT: Just eat the Louisiana staples. Have some meals at places... Photo-4102638.55874 - SFGate

Image 6 of 18

DON'T: Just pick a big chain hotel. Support the local economy and get a vacation rental off of VRBO.com or AirBnB.com. No mint on the pillow, but you'll feel more like a local. (Pictured apartment in the French Quarter is available through HistoricRentals.com.)

Photo: Spud Hilton, The Chronicle

DON'T: Just pick a big chain hotel. Support the local economy and...

DON'T: Just pick a big chain hotel. Support the local economy... Photo-4102639.55874 - SFGate

Image 7 of 18

DO: Go out to Metairie Cemetery. It's younger than the ancient St. Louis and Lafayette cemeteries in the French Quarter and Garden District, but it is host to scores of grandiose and bizarre crypts and monuments from an era when society families were trying to outdo each other in death.

DO: Go out to Metairie Cemetery. It's younger than the ancient St. Louis and Lafayette cemeteries in the French Quarter and Garden District, but it is host to scores of grandiose and bizarre crypts and monuments from an era when society families were trying to outdo each other in death.

DO: Take a break. If you plan to party during the day and into the night, take a couple of hours to take a nap, shower and eat. No place is fun at night if you're dog tired already. (Tip provided by the nice folks at Pat O'Brien's bar.)

DO: Take a break. If you plan to party during the day and into the...

DO: Take a break. If you plan to party during the day and into the... Photo-4102642.55874 - SFGate

Image 10 of 18

DO: Get away from the crowds for a while. Bayou St. John is a defunct canal that runs through the middle of suburban New Orleans and next to City Park. Peaceful and fun. (Rent kayaks through BayouKayaks.com.)

DO: Get away from the crowds for a while. Bayou St. John is a...

DO: Get away from the crowds for a while. Bayou St. John is a... Photo-4102643.55874 - SFGate

Image 11 of 18

DO: Tip street performers. If you stick around and enjoy the show, it's only fair to tip. And don't even think about posting photos or video of performers online without tipping.

DO: Tip street performers. If you stick around and enjoy the show,...

DO: Tip street performers. If you stick around and enjoy the show,... Photo-4102644.55874 - SFGate

Image 12 of 18

DO: Spent some time on Frenchmen Street, the main boulevard through the Faubourg Marigny, an artsy, gritty neighborhood next to the French Quarter that is still authentic New Orleans. Great clubs, shops and cafes.

Photo: Spud Hilton, The Chronicle

DO: Spent some time on Frenchmen Street, the main boulevard through...

DO: Spent some time on Frenchmen Street, the main boulevard through... Photo-4102645.55874 - SFGate

Image 13 of 18

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the Carrollton neighborhood, home to locally owned shops and cafes, as well as the famous Maple Leaf bar (pictured) and Jacques Imo's restaurant, which has some of the best creole cooking in town.

Photo: Spud Hilton, The Chronicle

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the...

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the... Photo-4102646.55874 - SFGate

Image 14 of 18

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the Carrollton neighborhood, home to locally owned shops and cafes, as well as the famous Maple Leaf bar and Jacques Imo's restaurant (pictured), which has some of the best creole cooking in town.

Photo: Spud Hilton, The Chronicle

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the...

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the... Photo-4102647.55874 - SFGate

Image 15 of 18

DO: Eat some grits. A little salt, lots of butter and maybe some Crystal hot sauce. It's part of the culture, so just do it. (Pictured: Breakfast at Mother's Restaurant on Poydras Street.)